The exceptional mode of access to Tusayan kiva hatchways by means of short nights of stone steps has already been noticed. In several instances the top steps of these short flights cover the thickness of the wall. The remains of a similar stairway were observed in Pueblo Bonito, where it evidently reached directly from the ground to an external doorway. Access by such means, however, is a departure from the original defensive idea.
Fig. 48. Stone steps at Oraibi, with platform at corner.
Modern practice in Zuñi has departed more widely from the primitive system than at Tusayan. In the former pueblo short nights of stone steps giving access to doors raised but a short distance above the ground are very commonly seen. Even in the small farming pueblo of Pescado two examples of this arrangement are met with. [Pl. XCIX] illustrates one of these found on the north outside wall. In the general views of the Tusayan villages the closer adherence to primitive methods is
clearly indicated, although the modern compare very unfavorably with the ancient examples in precision of execution. [Pl. XXXII] illustrates two flights of stone steps of Shupaulovi. In many cases the workmanship of these stone steps does not surpass that seen in the Walpi trail, illustrated in [Pl. XXV].
Fig. 49. Stone steps, with platform at chimney, in Oraibi.
| Fig. 50. Stone steps in Shumopavi. |